Election-booth.



.No. 756,398. PATENTED APR. 5, 1904. G. W. NAYLOR, s3. & J. DURAN.

ELECTION BOOTH.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 25, 1903. no MODEL.

I MINIMUM"2 1mm"i;

ii o. 756,398.

UNITED STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

GEORGE W. NAYLOR, SR., OF OATSKILL, NEW YORK, AND JOSEPH DORAN, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTION-BOOTH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,398, dated April 5, 1904.

Application filed May 25, 1993- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE W. NAYLOR, Sr. aresident of Catskill, Greene county, New York, and JOSEPH DORAN, a resident of Jersey City, Hudson county, New Jersey, citizens of the United States, have jointly invented certain new and useful Improvements in Election- Booths, of which the following is a specification. I

The subject of the present invention is an improved election-booth having for its more prominent objects lightness, durability, simplicity,and efliciency of construction and also the production of a novel structure for the purpose described which can be readily erected and when so arranged will be of highly-stable character, the said structure being capable when required of being peculiarly collapsed and folded to occupy but little space, thus greatly facilitating its storage and transportation.

An advantageous feature of the booth resides in the fact that neither of the operations involved in its erection or collapse necessitates a complete detachment of the door or other parts composing the structure.

WVith the above and other purposes in view the improved booth comprises generally aseries of extended uprights pivotally connected by peculiarly-disposed bars each embodying two members mutually attached by a knucklejoint, said uprights adapted to constitute the framework of the booth when the same is adjusted for use and the bars serving as the requisite brace connections between the uprights. The knuckle-joints insure the bars holding the uprights counter to any downward force on the bars, but permit the latter to break upwardly when the frame is to be folded. To prevent such breaking action, when desired,

' means are provided for locking said bars in their braced positions, said means, however, being capable of being readily manipulated to effect the disengagement of the bars and permit them to break folding the frame.

There are other important features and details connected with the invention. Among these may be noted the simple arrangement joint in the operation of Serial No. 158,584. (No model.)

for supporting a shelf. These features and details, as well as those previously alluded to, are all clearly set forth in the subsequent detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an election-booth embodying our invention, the door being represented ajar to disclose certain features within the booth. Fig. 2 is an elevational view illustrating the booth in its collapsed relation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the upper portion of the booth; and Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating, on an enlarged scale, the knuckle-joint and a part of the vertical batten pertaining to one of the brace-bars.

Similar reference characters are employed to, designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings wherein they occur.

In the construction disclosed in the drawings there are four uprights A B O D of extended character, the uprights AB being designed for location at the front of the booth when in position, while the other two are to be at the back. I

Pivotally connected with the uprights A O and B D are side horizontal bars or braces E F, said braces being located at the upper portion and at the sides of the structure which they form in part. At the tops of the front uprights, at the inner side thereof, are pivotally secured the respective ends of a transverse lintel-bar G. The rear uprights O D are also mutually connected by transverse braces H.

Hinged to the upper portion of the upright A is a bar I, comprising one of the vertical parts of a door, the other vertical part whereof is presented by a bar J, both bars being pivotally connected together at their lower ends by a transverse brace K, a second brace L pivotally connecting them in a plane intermediate of their upper and lower ends.

It will be seen that the bars I J and braces K L constitute the frame of a door of such dimensions and so hung that when closed it the corresponding upper portions of the structure sides and back, have canvas or other fabric coverings d, e, and h, secured on the outer sides thereof,

The braces E F each comprise two members e f" f pivotally joined at their inner contiguous ends bya rivet e or f as the case may be. The inner ends of the members 0 f slightly overlap the companion members in the form of tapering extensions 6 f, terminating in short lateral lugs or projections 0 f,

adapted when the members of each brace are brought to a horizontal position to engage and bear in a corresponding-shaped recess therefor in the upper edge of the companion member. As thus arranged the pivotal connection of each pair of members, together with the lug and recess engagement thereof, constitute a knuckle-joint which will prevent the brace they form from breaking down from a horizontal position, but which will readily enable the upward break thereof.

For the purpose of locking the braces E F at each side against upwardly breaking said braces are attached together, preferably at the points of their pivot connections, by short vertical battens M, and to the pivotal connection of the members of each of the lower bars are pivotally suspended a pair of links N N, the lower ends of which are provided with hooks n n, which when the uprights are in the adjusted position, with the braces E F disposed horizontally, are adapted to engage headed studs 6 d on the lower portions of the uprights, and thus serve to rigidly maintain the members of the braces in horizontal position.

The brace provision at the back is similarly arranged, While the braces K L of the door likewise comprises two members 70 and Z Z pivotally connected and provided with knuckle-joint at their inner contiguous ends. A short vertical batten O connects the braces K L at the points of their pivotal attachment and insures the simultaneous movement of both braces, as do the battens M with respect to the side braces E F. Instead of rigidly locking the door-braces KL by downwardlyextending means, as the links N, we employ instead links P, having their lower ends movably secured at the pivotal connection of the members forming the upper brace L, the upper ends of said links P having hooks 1) for engaging headed studs Z" j on the bars I J. The lintel-bar G is also formed of two members g7 g pivotally joined at their inner ends and having the knuckle-joint arrangement described with respect to the other braces. These members g g are adapted to be positively retained in a horizontal position by the diagonally-ex tending links G, movably hung at their upper ends on the pivot connection of the members g 9 while their lower ends are hooked to engage headed studs projecting at the inner sides of the uprights A B.

With the several uprights in the relatively extended positions illustrated in Fig; 1 and the braces and lintel-bar in the horizontal positions and their links engaged, as also shown in said figure, a structure will be presented highly serviceable as an election-booth. For the purpose of augmenting the stability of the structure small angle-sections a b are secured at the lower ends of the uprights A B and have their horizontal portions perforated for the reception of a fastening screw or nail, whereby said uprights can be securely but permanently fastened to the floor. Inasmuch as a booth structure of the character described v is ordinarily erected with its back against a wall, it will usually not be necessary to secure the uprights C l) to the floor. Obviously great rigidity will result by the bracing afforded by the bearing against the wall, the employment of the floor connections a b, and the rigid disposition of the frame-braces.

As it is requisite in this class of structures to provide a shelf or horizontal ledge on which the ballots can be prepared, we locate on the uprights C D brackets Q, each consisting of two sections q q, the former of which is pivotally secured to the uprights C or D, as the case may be, while one end of the section (1 is pivotally joined at one end to its companion, the other end being formed into a hook Q2, adapted when the members are moved to the position illustrated in Fig. 1 to engage a headed stud 0 or d, projecting from the inner side of the contiguous upright, and there-' by maintain the sections q in horizontal parallel relation.

A board or plate Q, is of such dimensions that when adjusted its ends will rest upon and be supported by the brackets Q, to form a shelf or ledge, the rear corner portions of the board having angular notches Q3 for receiving and conforming to the front and inner sides of the uprights C D, whereby the shelf not only extends clear to the back covering of the booth, but is retained against transverse shifting. When the booth is not required, the shelf is'removed and the lower sections of the brackets unhooked, thus permitting the sections (1 to hang closely parallel with the rear uprights. The links of the numerous braces are then unhooked, and the braces can then be successively operated to break joint to permit the various members to move closely parallel to other contiguous parts of the frame in bringing the uprights together in an obvious manner. This will result in the uprights and other features being brought into the highlycompact relation illustrated in Fig. 2, in which condition they can be positively maintained through the medium of small latches a pivotally mounted on the rear uprights and which have hooks a adapting them for engaging the headed studs on the front uprights. The disengagement of the door-braces obviously permits the door to collapse, so that its parts will be compactly disposed with the other folded parts of the booth.

I/Vhen the booth is in the folded position described, the board or plate Q can also be compactly disposed relative to the other parts of the booth and in such manner that it will be in attached relation, so as to be at hand when the structure is to be erected. For this purpose I provide the said board or plate with key-shaped slots q*, the larger portions of which are adapted for the passage of the heads of pins (Z on the upright D, so that the board can then be slightly lowered to engage the pinshanks in the narrow parts of the slots behind the pin-heads. The board will thus be retained vertically suspended in an obvious manner.

As before stated, the improved boothis simple and readily erected and removed, but is extremely serviceable for the purpose described. IVhen erected in position, a small latch aflpivotally mounted on the front upright B, can have its hooked end a? engaged with a projection on the adjacent front upright of a similar booth, so as to couple the booths and result in their stead ying each other.

We do not wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the particular construction and arrangement of parts shown and described, but reserve the right to all such modifications as may be fairly considered within the scope of our invention.

Having now described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In an election-booth, the combination with the corner-uprights, a flexible covering for the upper portion of the booth and a suitable door, of relatively upper and lower horizontal cross-braces both pivotally connecting the uprights at points intermediate of their height, the cross-braces each comprising pivotally-joined members adapting the braces for folding parallel with the uprights, and means for detachably retaining said braces in a horizontal position.

2. In an election-booth, the combination with the corner-uprights, a flexible covering for the upper portion of the booth and a suitable door, of a plurality of horizontal crossbraces pivotally connecting the uprights at points intermediate of their height, the crossbraces comprising pivotally-joined members adapting the braces for folding parallel with the uprights, and provision mutually connecting the braces for insuring a simultaneous movement thereof.

3. In an election-booth, the combination with the corner-umights, a flexible covering for the upper portion of the booth, and a suitable door, of a plurality of horizontal crossbraces pivotally connecting the uprights at points intermediate of their height, the cross braces comprising pivotally-joined members frame and comprising members adapted to be contracted relative to each other and lie parallel with the collapsed parts of the boothframe.

5. In an electionbooth, the combination with the collapsible booth-frame, and aflexible covering for the upper portion of the same, of a door permanently hung at the front of said frame, and comprising vertical bars, a flexible section secured thereto and means connecting the bars for permitting them to fold closely parallel with each other and with the collapsed parts of the booth-frame.

6. In an election-booth, the combination with the main frame embodying corner-uprights, a flexible covering for the upper portion of the frame, and folding horizontal crossbraces pivotally connecting the uprights at a point intermediate of their height, of a door permanently hung on the main frame and comprising bars, a flexible covering, and folding horizontal cross-braces pivotally connecting the bars and located in a horizontal plane contiguous to that of the braces of the main frame.

7. In an election-booth, the combination with the main frame embodying corner-uprigl'lts, a flexible covering for the upper portion of the frame, horizontal cross-braces pivotally connecting the uprights at a point intermediate of their height, the cross-braces comprising pivotally-joined members adapting the braces for folding parallel with the uprights, of a door permanently hung on the main frame and comprising bars, folding horizontal braces pivotally connecting the same and located in a horizontal plane contiguous with that of the braces of the main frame, a flexible covering for the door, and means for retaining both the'braces of the main frame and door in an extended position.

8. In an election-booth, the combination with a main frame, comprising uprights, folding cross-braces pivotal] y connecting the same, and a flexible covering for the upper portion of the frame, of a door hung on said frame, and embodying vertical bars, lower and intermediately-located folding cross-braces, a batten connecting said door-braces, link provision operatively connected with said latter provision and adapted to detachably engage a pro- 'jection on one of the uprights.

9. In an election-booth, the combination with folding main and door frames, of flexible coverings for the upper portion of the main frame, and for the door-frame, brackets at the rear of the main frame adapted to fold parallel therewith, a removable board for said brackets, and provision for detachably retaining said board in a suspended position closely parallel With the parts of the main frame, when the latter is folded.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 16th day of May, A. D. 1903.

GEORGE W. NAYLOR, SR. JOSEPH DORAN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM PAXTON, H. E. MAHER. 

